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abbyreads2's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Majority of the book was me yelling at the main character, I mean I understand why she acted the way she did but it was still a hard read and seeing her make bad decisions after another, risking her relationships with her friends. One thing that bothered me though was that we never got to see if he did the same to his own daughter, one of her friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Addiction and Abortion
ramenfuneral's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
hobbithopeful's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This isn't a book that everyone should read, but a book that everyone *needs* to read.
Ever Since is a powerful and moving book dealing with topics of grooming, and CSA.
I honestly would not have picked up this book because the topics hit so close to home for me, but it was the book of the month for the local book club I frequent, and I am glad I read it.
I typically do not enjoy books told in the first person, but Bruzas writes so well I knew I was going to love the book after reading the first page. There are times that Virginia has panic attacks, and the sentence structures reflect that and makes you read faster and faster. It was overwhelming, and the most realistic book about CSA that I have read. It also has the best "teenager" depiction, and the way the friend group speaks and acts is very on par.
Books like this are extremely important, for many reasons. A lot of time we have this idea of what a "perfect" victim looks like in our head. Isolated, innocent, we forget that when people endure trauma and abuse they will all react and respond differently. There is no such thing as a perfect victim, people are incredibly complex and abuse and grooming can happen to anyone. When such behaviors aren't "caught" in childhood, people forget that the trauma and abuse doesn't just magically go away when you grow up. Virgina has been so unbearably hurt and abused that she is just trying to survive and cope.
The romance with Rumi hurt so bad, but was so necessary. I think we all have gone through that phase of hoping that someone will come rescue us, or thinking that once we find a certain person everything is going to be okay and we are going to be safe. At the end of the day it is also important to remember that the bar is so low for men, just because they don't abuse you doesn't make them perfect. (Looking back on the book, he was honestly quite a red flag.) That one scene where he just stood there made me so angry and upset. They are all teenagers in this book, and teenagers are messy.
I liked the ending, it is left a bit ambiguous. Different characters are at different places in healing, some not even have come to terms with what happened. I am so glad they all came back together to support each other.
This book hit very close to home for me, and I had to eat a lot of candy to recover.
Be kind to yourself, there are a lot of heavy topics and triggers in this. It is very graphic and extremely hard to read at times. VERY. GRAPHIC. (No seriously, just about every trigger you could think of is in here!)
I will definitely read anything else that Alena Bruzas writes.
Hands down one of the best debut novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
Read this book!
Also l love the cover, there is so much great symbolism there with the overlay showing how she is really feeling. I only wish the font choice for the title is different, it looks like every wedding invitation I've ever seen.
Ever Since is a powerful and moving book dealing with topics of grooming, and CSA.
I honestly would not have picked up this book because the topics hit so close to home for me, but it was the book of the month for the local book club I frequent, and I am glad I read it.
I typically do not enjoy books told in the first person, but Bruzas writes so well I knew I was going to love the book after reading the first page. There are times that Virginia has panic attacks, and the sentence structures reflect that and makes you read faster and faster. It was overwhelming, and the most realistic book about CSA that I have read. It also has the best "teenager" depiction, and the way the friend group speaks and acts is very on par.
Books like this are extremely important, for many reasons. A lot of time we have this idea of what a "perfect" victim looks like in our head. Isolated, innocent, we forget that when people endure trauma and abuse they will all react and respond differently. There is no such thing as a perfect victim, people are incredibly complex and abuse and grooming can happen to anyone. When such behaviors aren't "caught" in childhood, people forget that the trauma and abuse doesn't just magically go away when you grow up. Virgina has been so unbearably hurt and abused that she is just trying to survive and cope.
The romance with Rumi hurt so bad, but was so necessary. I think we all have gone through that phase of hoping that someone will come rescue us, or thinking that once we find a certain person everything is going to be okay and we are going to be safe. At the end of the day it is also important to remember that the bar is so low for men, just because they don't abuse you doesn't make them perfect. (Looking back on the book, he was honestly quite a red flag.) That one scene where he just stood there made me so angry and upset. They are all teenagers in this book, and teenagers are messy.
I liked the ending, it is left a bit ambiguous. Different characters are at different places in healing, some not even have come to terms with what happened. I am so glad they all came back together to support each other.
This book hit very close to home for me, and I had to eat a lot of candy to recover.
Be kind to yourself, there are a lot of heavy topics and triggers in this. It is very graphic and extremely hard to read at times. VERY. GRAPHIC. (No seriously, just about every trigger you could think of is in here!)
I will definitely read anything else that Alena Bruzas writes.
Hands down one of the best debut novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
Read this book!
Also l love the cover, there is so much great symbolism there with the overlay showing how she is really feeling. I only wish the font choice for the title is different, it looks like every wedding invitation I've ever seen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Transphobia
wackly93's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
amejia's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit
karly_ackley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Drug use, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Abortion
thewordsdevourer's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC
Ever Since is a tough but ultimately rewarding read about realistic, messy characters that takes place over the course of their last summer in high school, a story of abuse and finding one's voice that is needed but will no doubt be challenging a read to many.
The novel, above all else, illustrates the impact of abuse and trauma, the endless cycle or harm and revictimization, and poses the question of how said cycle could ever be broken, when the victim is also so broken. It also effectively depicts the power of safe space: how the existence of one is akin to a lifesaving anchor, and the contrary perpetuates harm. We always hear about how important it is especially for young people to have a safe roof over their heads, and never have I seen this shown so well in a novel as Bruzas does in her book here.
The majority of characters are multidimensional and messy, especially the main character Virginia, but understandably so, particulatly when their circumstances are shed light on towards the end of the story. Nevertheless, understanding the root of Virginia's destructive actions - both unto herself and her supposed dear ones - does not make it any easier to read. On the contrary, I am personally frustrated by the 'hurt people hurt people' adage so encapsulated in the book, knowing it hurts Virginia more than anyone to do what she does, but seemingly impossible to stop doing so.
Which leads to one of my caveats with the novel: it is never explained - at least clearly or in detail - why many of Virginia's harmful actions are done towards the proclaimed important people in her life. Being abused and traumatized make it understandable but not wholly innocent. In my opinion, Virginia should have taken more accountability about the things she did that hurt her friends, because it seems like she gets off scot-free; being a victim does not make her actions absolvable in themselves.
I also think the change in Virginia's psyche and her sense of self-worth is too sudden, finding her voice in one chapter then suddenly feeling invincible the next, when her growth could be a little more scattered throughout. As for the writing, there are definitely powerful moments that are searing and visceral - especially towards the end - but for the most part the short, choppy sentences and frequent breaks in paragraphs read a little juvenile and affect the pacing, though this could have been done to show Virginia's inner psyche.
All in all, Ever Since is a well-intentioned and compelling book whose story may prove challenging to many. The novel is ultimately rewarding, but it is a tough road getting there, especially with some uneven execution.
Ever Since is a tough but ultimately rewarding read about realistic, messy characters that takes place over the course of their last summer in high school, a story of abuse and finding one's voice that is needed but will no doubt be challenging a read to many.
The novel, above all else, illustrates the impact of abuse and trauma, the endless cycle or harm and revictimization, and poses the question of how said cycle could ever be broken, when the victim is also so broken. It also effectively depicts the power of safe space: how the existence of one is akin to a lifesaving anchor, and the contrary perpetuates harm. We always hear about how important it is especially for young people to have a safe roof over their heads, and never have I seen this shown so well in a novel as Bruzas does in her book here.
The majority of characters are multidimensional and messy, especially the main character Virginia, but understandably so, particulatly when their circumstances are shed light on towards the end of the story. Nevertheless, understanding the root of Virginia's destructive actions - both unto herself and her supposed dear ones - does not make it any easier to read. On the contrary, I am personally frustrated by the 'hurt people hurt people' adage so encapsulated in the book, knowing it hurts Virginia more than anyone to do what she does, but seemingly impossible to stop doing so.
Which leads to one of my caveats with the novel: it is never explained - at least clearly or in detail - why many of Virginia's harmful actions are done towards the proclaimed important people in her life. Being abused and traumatized make it understandable but not wholly innocent. In my opinion, Virginia should have taken more accountability about the things she did that hurt her friends, because it seems like she gets off scot-free; being a victim does not make her actions absolvable in themselves.
I also think the change in Virginia's psyche and her sense of self-worth is too sudden, finding her voice in one chapter then suddenly feeling invincible the next, when her growth could be a little more scattered throughout. As for the writing, there are definitely powerful moments that are searing and visceral - especially towards the end - but for the most part the short, choppy sentences and frequent breaks in paragraphs read a little juvenile and affect the pacing, though this could have been done to show Virginia's inner psyche.
All in all, Ever Since is a well-intentioned and compelling book whose story may prove challenging to many. The novel is ultimately rewarding, but it is a tough road getting there, especially with some uneven execution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Transphobia and Abortion
libraryjen's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Seventeen-year-old Virginia has a reputation and she's trouble. Not only is she a party girl, but she's secretly sleeping with one of her best friend's boyfriends. When another of her best friends mysteriously disappears for the summer and doesn't return anyone's calls or texts, Virginia begins hanging out with her boyfriend, too. This time Virginia doesn't sleep with him, it's worse, she falls for him, hard.
As the two of them grow closer, Virginia meets his little sister, Lyra, and learns that she's being groomed for abuse by the same monster who abused Virginia at that age. Can Virginia find a way to protect Lyra. Is she strong enough to tell her own story?
The first half of this book jumped between scenes and dreams haphazardly and there was never any real description of the characters: who they were, what they looked like, or how they related to the mc. Just about everything had to be inferred and that was tough. Added to that was the self-destructive behavior of the mc and her obvious pain and disassociation from life. This made the book hard to read. However, after I hit about 55%, it all just clicked and I didn't want to put it down. I don't have personal experience with sexual abuse/trauma, but from what I've read about it, it seems like the writing style in the first half of the book was a conscious choice on the author's part to help the reader understand/experience a little of Virginia's state of mind. Her self-destructive choices seem to be typical of victims of SA.
Although the book was difficult to read, it ended on a hopeful not, which I definitely appreciated! Everything wasn't tied up in a fancy bow, but it was hopeful.
Although there needs to be definite trigger warnings for sexual assault, sexual abuse, and suicidal ideation, I give this book 4 solid stars and recommend it to anyone struggling to understand these issues or to help someone struggling with these issues.
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
As the two of them grow closer, Virginia meets his little sister, Lyra, and learns that she's being groomed for abuse by the same monster who abused Virginia at that age. Can Virginia find a way to protect Lyra. Is she strong enough to tell her own story?
The first half of this book jumped between scenes and dreams haphazardly and there was never any real description of the characters: who they were, what they looked like, or how they related to the mc. Just about everything had to be inferred and that was tough. Added to that was the self-destructive behavior of the mc and her obvious pain and disassociation from life. This made the book hard to read. However, after I hit about 55%, it all just clicked and I didn't want to put it down. I don't have personal experience with sexual abuse/trauma, but from what I've read about it, it seems like the writing style in the first half of the book was a conscious choice on the author's part to help the reader understand/experience a little of Virginia's state of mind. Her self-destructive choices seem to be typical of victims of SA.
Although the book was difficult to read, it ended on a hopeful not, which I definitely appreciated! Everything wasn't tied up in a fancy bow, but it was hopeful.
Although there needs to be definite trigger warnings for sexual assault, sexual abuse, and suicidal ideation, I give this book 4 solid stars and recommend it to anyone struggling to understand these issues or to help someone struggling with these issues.
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
Minor: Gaslighting
boekenbabbel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
3.0
It has taken me a while to write this review ... I have changed my rating multiple times, but in the end I had to settle on three stars. Don't get me wrong, I loved this story. I loved the story, but I didn't necessarily love the book, if that makes sense.
The story that is told in 'Ever Since' is a very important one. I believe that this book could really help people. Help them understand what other people might go through, help them find the courage to get up and do something when this story happens to someone they know, and maybe even help them when they are going through something like this. This story is about abuse. Sexual abuse, mental abuse, abuse of substances ... And it is a hard one to read. But stories like this are necessary to be told. Based on the story alone, this book would have definitely received 4 stars.
But the problem for me was the writing. The first chapters were the worst and it did get better near the end of the book, but it was still difficult to get through. The sentences are extremely long, consisting of multiple clauses starting with 'and'. ... and ... and ... and ... and ... and ... . At one point, a sentence ran for 9(!) lines on my e-reader. This made me lose track of the sentence and made it harder to really get sucked into the story. I really had to drag myself through the first few chapters, up until the point that the story got so interesting that the writing stopped bothering me as much. And as I said, it did get better near the end. I've read a few reviews saying that this depicts the mind of a 17-year old. That may be true, but this obviously does not appeal to everybody. If I had to score the writing, I would give this a 2,5/5. There is so much room for improvement, and I do believe that the author can get better (the last chapters were evidence of that).
To conclude my review: I liked the story, but didn't like the writing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC of this book!
The story that is told in 'Ever Since' is a very important one. I believe that this book could really help people. Help them understand what other people might go through, help them find the courage to get up and do something when this story happens to someone they know, and maybe even help them when they are going through something like this. This story is about abuse. Sexual abuse, mental abuse, abuse of substances ... And it is a hard one to read. But stories like this are necessary to be told. Based on the story alone, this book would have definitely received 4 stars.
But the problem for me was the writing. The first chapters were the worst and it did get better near the end of the book, but it was still difficult to get through. The sentences are extremely long, consisting of multiple clauses starting with 'and'. ... and ... and ... and ... and ... and ... . At one point, a sentence ran for 9(!) lines on my e-reader. This made me lose track of the sentence and made it harder to really get sucked into the story. I really had to drag myself through the first few chapters, up until the point that the story got so interesting that the writing stopped bothering me as much. And as I said, it did get better near the end. I've read a few reviews saying that this depicts the mind of a 17-year old. That may be true, but this obviously does not appeal to everybody. If I had to score the writing, I would give this a 2,5/5. There is so much room for improvement, and I do believe that the author can get better (the last chapters were evidence of that).
To conclude my review: I liked the story, but didn't like the writing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC of this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Alcohol
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
oracle_of_madness's review
5.0
Incredible. This story realistically relates trauma from sexual abuse as a child, sexual assault, the difficulties these things bring to a teenage girl's life and her view of herself. I really felt this. As a survivor, I related so much with this main character. The division her trauma caused between her and her friends through drug and alcohol use is just one of the multitude of examples a teenager and also, adults, deal with the corruption of their youth.
This is a hard topic to read about, and I want to warn any to be readers that this hits hard and goes into some detail. However, what an important book! I've read several stories this year by authors who have survived this trauma, and I am continuously in awe.
The gorgeous and heart-wrenching descriptions of certain mythology characters, particularly Medea, that were sprinkled throughout this story is another example of finding a voice to speak through this trauma. And, it was really, like I've already said, hard hitting... as it should be.
There are no happy stories of childhood abuse and trauma... but there is hope.
Out May 23, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
This is a hard topic to read about, and I want to warn any to be readers that this hits hard and goes into some detail. However, what an important book! I've read several stories this year by authors who have survived this trauma, and I am continuously in awe.
The gorgeous and heart-wrenching descriptions of certain mythology characters, particularly Medea, that were sprinkled throughout this story is another example of finding a voice to speak through this trauma. And, it was really, like I've already said, hard hitting... as it should be.
There are no happy stories of childhood abuse and trauma... but there is hope.
Out May 23, 2023!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
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